Schwinn 430

Ideal for the home gym for fitness enthusiasts of any skill level, the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer provides an effective cardiovascular workout by combining upper and lower body flexibility and coordination into one impact-free motion…Features

BioFit footpads and handlebars offer a comfortable feeling while working out

Features 16 computer controlled resistance levels

Grip heart rate monitoring on handlebars helps you track your workout

Measures 59 inches long by 26 inches wide by 68 inches tall; includes a water bottle holder and transport wheels

So just what is an elliptical machine or an elliptical trainer and why on earth does the word or phrase itself seem so new and foreign to you? In simple terms, an elliptical machine or what is also more commonly refered to as an elliptical trainer is a stationary mechanical device that was designed to simulate walking or running.

So why simulate walking or running when either of them are so easily done inside or outside? The answer to that, is that the idea or concept behind the elliptical machine is that it allows the person using it to gain all the benefits of walking or running, without the risk of impact injuries. You see, the feet never actually leave the surface peddals on an elliptical trainer.

Now the reason that these machines seem so new to you, is because they are. In fact, believe it or not the very first elliptical machine was created only back in 2004, which isn’t very long ago. The concept came to man named Larry Miller, who was studying films of runners in the hopes of coming up with ideas for reducing the impact damage on the lower body.

Understand that elliptical machines now come in many forms and being that they are so new, it’s only reasonable to expect that even more developments in variation will eventually come available. Even so, the two basic styles as it stands today, are the elliptical machine that has the hand held upper body components and those that don’t.

Super Affordable But No Feature Options

Then there are also electric powered machines that can come with any number of features on a console to basic user powered machines that are operated in much the same way as bicycle is. That is that they are simply peddled by the user. Other basic features that you can find on todays machine are adjustable resistance, which decreases or increases the amount of energy required to use the machine and include feature that changes the pedal motion paths.

Even so, it’s is very important to understand that two elliptical machines manufactured by two separate companies that both look exactly alike can “feel different” when in operation. For instance, one common complaint about lesser quality machines, is that in spite of the upper body hand held arm bar being in place, all of the energy that’s required to power the machine must be expended at that pedals.

Full Featured Elliptical Machine

This is to say that the arm bars may be going back and forth but when the hands are placed on them the sensation and effect is that the arms and upper body are simply “going along for a ride.” The legs tire faster and in spite of appearances, there is no real upper body workout. However; on the better built machines this is not the case.

The higher quality elliptical machines are designed and engineered such that they require energy input from both the arm bars and the pedals. At the same time, the user has the option of self regulating how much work or energy he or she wishes to contribute from the upper and lower body.

What this means is that during workouts, if your legs become tired you don’t need to necessarily stop. You can simply ease off on the paddling and allow your arms and upper body to pull the machine along while your legs rest. Of course the end result is longer, thorough, more comfortable and far more satisfying sessions.